Renowned shoe designer Pierre Hardy and his husband Christopher Turnier have transformed a 17th-century mansion on Paris's Île Saint-Louis into a stunning example of how contemporary design can harmoniously coexist with classical French architecture. The couple enlisted Italian architect and designer Vincenzo De Cotiis to reimagine the 2,000-square-foot space, creating a delicate balance between ultra-modern custom furniture and 18th-century antiques.
"It was love at first sight," Hardy recalls without hesitation when describing the moment he and Turnier first set foot in what is now their home. The artistic director of shoes and jewelry at Hermès, who has also worked at Dior and Balenciaga before launching his own brand, wasn't expecting to find the perfect space so quickly, given his exacting standards. Even empty and run-down, the apartment with its mythologically frescoed ceilings made a powerful impression on the couple.
The apartment's most striking features are the magnificent frescoes attributed to Bon Boullogne, a French artist from the 17th century. Apollo in crimson robes, harp in hand, dominates the entrance hall, while Greek and Roman deities lounge in clouds throughout the other rooms. These masterpieces immediately captivated the couple and became the foundation for the entire renovation project.
While Hardy has always decorated his own living spaces, this time he and Turnier decided to collaborate with Vincenzo De Cotiis, the Milan-based interior architect whose work they had long admired. Hardy smiles when recalling the architect's surprise upon discovering the space. "There was a lot of work to do," he admits, but the couple was familiar with De Cotiis's ability to strip interiors down to reveal their essence.
"The space had very classical characteristics that we wanted to preserve," remembers the architect-designer, who couldn't hide his amazement at the frescoes. "I tried to combine the contemporary style that Pierre and Christopher love with this classical heritage. I made sure the frescoes gave their soul to the apartment while making it minimalist."
Architecturally, Turnier wanted "a major cleanup," including removing additions from the last renovation in the 1970s to get closer to the original 1645 state when the building was constructed. The parquet floors were dismantled and restored, and the bas-reliefs and moldings were renewed. De Cotiis then contrasted this classicism with bold modern touches: plaster coating on the walls, matte black fiberglass in the small kitchen, and travertine flooring throughout.
Most significantly, numerous rooms were fitted with silver brass paneling that, like the many mirrors throughout the space, reflects natural light and highlights the architectural wonders of the place. In the main living room, custom brass and fiberglass tables and a silver brass sofa created by De Cotiis sit alongside a pair of 18th-century armchairs, 1960s marble lamps by Tobia Scarpa, and artwork by Daniel Arsham – a classical bust with cubes for eyes that serves as a metaphor for this apartment where past and present are in constant dialogue.
De Cotiis also focused on creating a home perfectly adapted to the couple's lifestyle. "The kitchen didn't need to be huge, since we don't often host large dinner parties," explains Hardy, adding that he hates dining rooms, which he finds "always as ugly as they are empty." Since the couple prefers spaces that can keep up with the rhythm of daily life, the architect designed a series of living rooms – large spaces for working, relaxing, eating, or entertaining, depending on their mood.
The minimalism of the ensemble contrasts beautifully with the antiques and other elegant furniture designed for the occasion by De Cotiis. In the bedroom, a rococo cherub floats in the clouds above Sol LeWitt prints and a monumental custom bed made of hand-painted fiberglass. The dressing room features wardrobe doors covered in coated fabric and brass, with travertine flooring and table, complemented by a wooden sculpture by Norman Dilworth.
Concerned with allowing themselves breaks from the intense rhythm that fashion imposes, Hardy and Turnier found their ideal creative partner in De Cotiis. The architect was delighted to be able to discuss for hours the exact shade of black leather for the living room sofa. He also recommended hand-painting the fabric of the sofa near the window so that it would better reflect the color of the Seine River.
Today, the river seems to belong to the walls, and the omnipresence of its shimmer gives it the appearance of a barrier against the outside world. Hardy, whose maternal family is from Corsica, appreciates this paradox: "We're in the middle of Paris, but we feel alone in the world." The bathroom features a travertine bathtub and aged mirrors, while the small living room showcases a pair of De Cotiis sconces flanking a Venetian mirror, with an 18th-century armchair and a De Cotiis chair completing the intimate setting.
"I combined the contemporary style that Pierre and Christopher love with this classical heritage," De Cotiis explains. The result is a home that serves as both a sanctuary from the bustling fashion world and a testament to the enduring power of thoughtful design that respects history while embracing innovation.
